I have to admit, I've seen more Burciaga over the past couple of weeks than I have for the full season. And this isn't a post because of his play in the Cup final, I just saw an extremely talented player. His ball skills are superb. HE can strike the ball very well. I mean, isn't this the type of player Arena needs out of his fullbacks? I don't see why this guy shouldn't be involved in contest to obtain a spot in the back 4 at LB. He can play. Plus he's lefty.
So are Carlos Bocanegra, Eddie Lewis, Bobby Convey, DaMarcus Beasley, Greg Vanney and Danny Karbasiyon.
Narrow that list down to those whose primary position is Leftback and you're left with Vanney. Now take it down to those that can play, and you're left with nobody. (MAYBE Karby)
There have been some people around here suggesting this (myself included) since May or so - that was the first time in my mind he moved up from "one to watch for the future" to "why not sooner than that?" He actually dominated a couple of games from left back this year, which is something that almost never happens in this league (off the top of my head, I've seen Agoos do it a couple of times, and ridiculously, Ralston once, but that's about it in recent years.) I do think he's got a bit of a depth chart problem at the moment, but when you realize that most of our best young defenders play centrally and that most of our best choices at left back might be better elsewhere, it's one to think about. Wouldn't be shocked if he got a look at a camp in '05.
Count me as one of those people. Burciaga will get a look eventually. Guys like Vanney and Boca are really stop gaps at that position and Convey is playing left mid for his club. Spector, Burciaga, Dunivant, and Wingert are all good prospects at that spot.
Part of the reason he hasn't been called in is because of the two devastating knee injuries he's suffered the past two years. He was supposed to be a mainstay on the U-23 team. If he had not been hurt the past few years, I'm sure he would be in the pool. That goal against Rimando was pure class. Sometimes, you just tip your hat to the attacker and say he got the better of the keeper, plain and simple. Sachin
KC isn't a team I follow much, but I thought that they'd been playing mostly 3 in the back before this year. So this would, if I'm right, be Jose's first year at fullback. Still, he's one to keep an eye on. His real problem might be horrible timing. If he had had this kind of season last year, Bruce would have used him in last year's winter friendlies, and he might have gotten some chances this year in WCQs. It'll be harder to break in next year. I really feel for the kid.
This is probably true. However, this kid is probably the best LB in terms of talent I've seen America produce. He can whip that ball in, and his ability to hold onto the ball and move it up is crucial in Bruce's system. I wouldn't be surprised if you see him called up. Also, another thing to note. One of the reasons he looked so good in the MLS Cup finals, is the same reason that Leonard look like Giggs when the Revs played DC, Stewart is not nearly as good as Wynalda makes him out to be. Can he make plays on the offensive side of the ball? Sure, his cross to gomez was fantastic, and he was great for abotu 10-15 minutes against KC, but he has become a liability in my opinion. So that is why you heard Wynalda saying Stewart was "tired". No, he was simply beaten... But again, I think Bruce should really take a very long look at him. I think a back four of Burciaga, Boca, Pope, and whomever at RB (Ralston? I guess it woudl be Cherundulo right now right?) woudl be a solid group.
If you play Onyewu and Pope in the middle (with Berhalter as a sub), then Boca plays the left wing-back. Lewis can play it also and better than Jose, Jr. Bobby Convey may eventually come out of his funk and he's got a slew of caps over Burciaga, though sometimes familiarity does breed contempt. Now, Burciaga does have a size advantage over Convey and he can obviously smack it on goal. Actually, all of those I mentioned + Spector can play that spot.
Eddie Lewis can def. not play LB. Convey hasn't proven he can handle the spot defensively. He is still incredibly tentative. Are you going to put DMB back there? Maybe Boca, Spector has played a handful of matches for ManU, riding the bench since, Karbasiyon? is the kid ready for WC qualifiers, no way... I really think Burciaga is top 2 or 3.
Burgiaga should definitely get a chance. I think he is capable of outperforming Vanney right now. Of course, you never know how a guy will perform on the international level until you see him play, but his play in MLS is really solid. At times, he reminds me of WC 2002 Tony Sanneh. Just the way he plays and handles things makes me think of that. I think Boca is just really strong in the middle. He and Pope are a really good combination. Unless one of the other guys can start to come close to his level of play, I think he should be in the middle and we should try to make due on the left. I have hardly seen Onyewu play, but I keep hearing that he can be great, but even if he does become great, I think he should be considered a replacement for Pope and not Boca in the middle. Carlos Bocanegra was born to play in the center of defense for the United States.